Page 48 of The Other Side

Asa and Jennifer said their good-byes and left quietly. Hadley closed the door behind them and slunk against it. “Whew. That was a lot to process.”

Thea winced. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I just hate that you’ve been through so much.” Hadley flopped into the recliner where Asa had sat. “So, I was thinking we could get you settled in today.”

Thea glanced at the bag by the door. “It’ll take all of five minutes.”

“Nap first?” Hadley asked.

Slumping into the softness of the couch, Thea sighed. “That sounds amazing.” She hadn’t done anything strenuous, but exhaustion had followed her like a dark cloud since the injury.

Brett stood and stretched his arms over his head. “I’ll let you get some rest. I promised Jess I’d help her out at the barn today.”

Thea’s attempt at a smile probably looked more like a grimace. What a nice reminder that she’d have to face Brett’s sister at some point. “Good. I’ve been telling you to go to work for days now.”

“And I still don’t want to go.”

“I thought you liked work,” Hadley said.

“I do. I’d just rather be helping Thea.”

Thea groaned. Brett’s kindness was over the top, and she loved it. But he refused to look at their situation realistically. He forgave too easily. They couldn’t have a normal relationship. Everything logical said it was a bad idea.

“Aww. You are just too sweet,” Hadley said. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her.”

“I appreciate that. I’ll check back in later.” Brett winked at Thea and turned to pick up his hat.

“Bye,” Thea said quietly.

She hadn’t been away from him much since she rolled into town, and the loss pricked in her chest. He’d been good to her. Too good. But she needed time to think about her feelings.

When Brett closed the door, Hadley whispered, “The mother hen is gone.”

Thea chuckled. Brettwasa lot like a mother hen.

Hadley moved from the recliner to the couch, bending her knee and facing Thea. “I’m so excited to have a roommate. I used to live with my mom and sister. I’m still getting used to having my own place.”

“I promise I’ll be out of your hair soon,” Thea promised.

“Don’t worry about it. So, you’re from here?”

Thea adjusted her leg propped on the coffee table. Hadley seemed nice, but how far could she be trusted? “Yep. I just haven’t lived here in a while. My mom has cancer.”

Hadley dropped her gaze to her hands. “That stinks. My mom had a stroke last year, so I get it. She still needs a lot of help, but I’m glad she’s still with me.”

Thea pressed her lips together. Her mom was still alive, but the luxury of having her mom with her hadn’t been a reality in a long time. It still wasn’t.

“Any info about her diagnosis? Is it treatable?” Hadley asked.

“They told her at the last appointment that if she didn’t go through with the intense chemo and radiation treatment, it was only a matter of time.”

Time. The one thing everyone wants but can’t seem to get enough of.

“The problem is, she doesn’t have the money for all that. Plus, there isn’t anyone here who really cares about helping her get to and from appointments or supporting her in the treatment at all.”

“That’s awful. I’m so sorry.”

A single tear pushed its way out, and Thea wiped it. She’d done enough crying already. “I can’t even go see her.”

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